This is the interesting fact: three months
after Windows 8 was on sale, we have reviewed 16 laptops, including some hybrid
form factors (hybrid). That's right: more than one every week for the past 12 weeks,
and that does not mention the few tablets running Windows RT. So, now that we
have abandoned the collective social life to write about Windows 8, we finally
feel qualified to offer some advice. Here, in the instructions for the first
time laptop buyers, we will show you the most promising computer - everything
from convertibles to hybrid laptops/tablets. Indeed, we have many systems to support
touch in the front, but if you're just looking for a good old style laptop, we
also have a few to introduce. So, please join us.
Touch-enabled computers
Hydrid
Obviously it is quite fine if one company
unveiled that a tablet can dock and we call it the hybrid product "laptop/tablet"
but that long phrase becomes boring when we have to repeat it 20 times for each
new product we see. It is no use when the PCs have the best combination of
tablets and laptops they are incredibly different in design: we see the models
with horizontal slide-out keyboard, and the models with rotating display,
foldable. They can’t be called a hybrid, right? So, to clarify, let's agree
that when we say "hybrid", we are talking about the dock products
with detachable keyboard - you know, the model actually plays two roles, as a
laptop and a slim, independent tablet.
And they are everywhere. For OEMs, the
creation of a hybrid tablet becomes a ritual to pass to the Windows 8 era.
Nearly every PC makers unveil a model (although some running Windows RT), and
the companies do not, we hope they will participate, as they did with netbooks.
Acer
Iconia W700
With Surface Pro not released, we can only
think of one laptop/tablet hybrid running fully fledged laptop grade processor
inside. That would be the Acer Iconia W700, which is designed primarily for the
businesses who would carry between home and office. Rather keyboard dock, W700
comes with a base that allows you to build up the tablet in straight or
horizontal mode. Unlike other products we've seen, the cradle has not battery
or preset keyboard, just adds three additional USB 3.0 ports to complement a
port on the tablet. When you love to travel, accompanied shell doubles as a
stand. The tablet also comes with a Bluetooth keyboard, but no mouse. As we
said in the review, the keyboard dock with installed battery will be more
versatile because it allows people to use it on the road without having to
carry multiple parts (eg, separate keyboard and mouse). As long as you accept
this inconvenience, W700 is good model: well-designed with fast performance and
incredible long battery life, especially based on that 1,080p touch screen.
Acer
Iconia W700
The bottom line
·
W700 is a fast computer and a few Windows 8
devices offer long battery life.
Price
·
$800 and up
Key Specifications
·
1.7GHz Intel Core i5-3317U CPU
·
4GB of RAM
·
64 to 128GB of internal storage
·
Intel HD Graphics 4000
·
11.6-inch (1,920 x 1,080) display
Acer
Iconia W510
We did not initially think to like W510:
although the tablet itself is made well, it comes with a cramped, cheap
keyboard dock. Up to some poky I / O speeds and start to seem netbook era that has
returned. However, there are two important points to make it worth consider.
First, great battery life - 8 hours with the tablet, and 14 hour when you add
the keyboard dock. That's better than the more expensive hybrid computer we've
ever seen as $850 HP Envy x2. This brings us to another thing: with the
starting price of at $550 in the USA, the W510 is the cheapest Windows 8 hybrid
we know. That does not entirely excuse for the lacks of it, if I have to choose
between this and more expensive model with equally cramped keyboard and shorter
battery life, you'll know which one we introduce. W510 is not perfect, but it
is the solid choice for people who want a full Windows 8 computer on the cheap.
Acer
Iconia W510
The bottom line
·
Among the cheapest devices running full Windows
8, with the best battery life in the group
Price
·
$550 and up
Key Specifications
·
1.5GHz Intel Atom Z2760 CPU
·
2GB of RAM
·
32 to 64GB of internal storage
·
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator
·
10.1-inch (1,366 x 768) display
Lenovo
ThinkPad Tablet 2
ThinkPad Tablet 2 is the model you can buy
now, even when we have just started assessing (wait a full review of us). We
can confirm that the claimed 10 hours battery life of the Lenovo is correct.
Bluetooth keyboard is also one of the most comfortable keyboards we've used on
a hybrid device - it is reason enough for us to recommend it over everything
else. Moreover, this is one of the few tablets granted power by the Atom that also
supports stylus input - in fact, pen recognizes pressure available in the box.
Finally, NFC connectivity of the tablet and installed 3G/4G radio are also good
additions - especially in the USA, where it supports LTE. If the pen input is
not necessary, you can also enjoy Lenovo’s 11-inch IdeaPad Lynx tablet, also
runs the Atom processor and relaxed keyboard dock, but cheaper $30.
Lenovo
ThinkPad Tablet 2
The bottom line
·
A few Windows 8 tablets running cheap Atom
supports pen input
Price
·
$679 and up
Key Specifications
·
1.5GHz Intel Atom Z2760 CPU
·
2GB of RAM
·
64GB of internal storage
·
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator
·
10.1-inch (1,366 x 768) display
